A State Rarity Rank of S2S3 means: Imperiled or Vulnerable in New York - Very vulnerable to disappearing from New York, or vulnerable to becoming imperiled in New York, due to rarity or other factors; typically 6 to 80 populations or locations in New York, few individuals, restricted range, few remaining acres (or miles of stream), and/or recent and widespread declines. More information is needed to assign a single conservation status.

Global Rarity Rank:G4

A Global Rarity Rank of G4 means: Apparently secure globally, though it may be quite rare in parts of its range, especially at the periphery.

Did you know?
You can see 150 foot tall "chimneys" made of small stone, gravel, sand, and clay at Chimney Bluffs State Park. These eroding drumlins have existed for thousands of years and are constantly changing from exposure to Great Lakes erosional forces, such as water, ice, or wind.

There are an estimated 5 to 30 extant occurrences statewide. Three currently documented occurrences are mostly protected on state park land. Great Lakes bluffs appear to be restricted to the drumlin region of the Great Lakes Plain Ecozone. The bluffs form in areas where drumlins are positioned along the south shore of Lake Ontario. The overall trend for the community is suspected to be slightly declining due to recreational overuse, erosion prevention activities, and other development.

It is likely that Great Lakes bluffs were never widespread and common in New York given their physiogeographic setting (i.e., drumlins on the Lake Ontario shoreline). The number of Great Lakes bluffs in New York may have declined slightly from historical numbers and their aerial extent and viability are suspected to have declined over the long-term. These declines are likely correlated with coastal development and associated changes in connectivity, hydrological alteration, and natural erosion processes.